Livestock prices likely to drop by 35% in RAK around Eid Al Adha   

Ras Al Khaimah - Local and imported animals are also available against affordable prices.

Price of sacrificial livestock usually soars during Eid Al Adha, however, traders here are expecting a drop of 35 per cent in the coming days.
Traders also say there are some who hike the prices by 150 to 200 per cent when demand is more and customers should not rush to buy the livestock.
Mahmoud Saleh, a livestock trader, said: "A Najdi sheep now costs Dh3,000 though it was available against only Dh1,000 few days ago."
Another trader Saeed Salem said: "The animal market is full of all types and weights of livestock animals that fit each and every customer."
Local and imported animals are also available against affordable prices, he added. "Traders have already imported enough amounts of livestock animals from Djibouti, Georgia, Jordan, Syria, India and Armenia to cover the drop in Australian livestock this year." 
Ibrahim Abdulqader, a trader, said the new animal markets opened in other emirates will give more options to customers.
"Customers can get their adahi needs from Ajman, which has recently opened a new big animal market, and that means a stiffer competition for the benefit of customers."
Ashraf Zaki, a livestock trader, said some of his colleagues have increased their prices to cover the high costs they shelled out against shipment and taxes. "Some have sold their sheep against about Dh6,000 though it only cost them Dh2,000."
According to Mohammed Saad, adahi prices differ from one place to another. "Prices for the adahi start from Dh700 for the livestock imported from India to Dh2,600 for local ones" 
Hassan Hakam, an Egyptian resident, said that prices are so high. "Traders in general exploit the season. Nuaimi sheep, which is sold for Dh1,000 few days ago is priced at Dh3,000 now. I bought the same sheep at Dh1,300 from the new animal market in Ajman." 
Abdullah Saluh, an Emirati national, said the best Najdi sheep was available against Dh1,100, but it surged up to Dh3,500. "When asking traders, they said it is all due to the value added tax."
 Muhammad Riza, also a trader, advised customers to buy smaller sizes. "Despite the high prices, customers can still buy their favourite sheep, like Najdi and Nuaimi, but for smaller sizes."
 ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com  

• Ras Al Khaimah